17/4/03
Perth residents and holidaymakers have the opportunity to see something different at Port Beach this Easter Monday - a re-enactment of the escape of six Irish political prisoners from Fremantle Prison 127 years ago.
The re-enactment at 7.30am is part of what is to be an annual Catalpa Day, celebrating the escape of the Fenians who were rowed out to the US whaler Catalpa from Rockingham Beach on Easter Monday, 1876.
The 'escaped Fenians' will be rowed out to the tall ship Leeuwin 2 - which will be taking the part of the Catalpa - about 300m offshore, with schoolchildren and dignitaries on board learning about the event from singers and storytellers.
Housing and Works Minister Tom Stephens, who has responsibility for Fremantle Prison, is inviting people to come to Port Beach to watch the re-enactment and make a tour of the prison, which will have a Fenian focus on that day.
Brendan Woods' play, 'The Catalpa Escape', will open at the prison that night and continue the following week.
Mr Stephens said the Fenians' incarceration and the Catalpa rescue was a major event in Western Australia's history, one that brought Fremantle to the attention of the world.
"It is very significant in terms of the history of the early days of Fremantle Prison," he said.
"It's a grim reminder of our penal colony foundation, and of the part played out here in the Irish struggle for independence from Britain.
"Yet while interest in this daring feat is gaining momentum in America, Ireland and Europe, many Western Australians are unaware of it."
After one Fenian, John Boyle O'Reilly, escaped in 1869 by getting a berth on a whaler, the Fenians raised 25,800 American dollars, bought the Catalpa and mounted a rescue mission under the guise of whaling.
The six Fenians broke away from their work gangs at the appointed time, met up with pre-arranged trap and horses and were taken to Rockingham beach, where they were rowed out to the Catalpa waiting in International waters.
It was a race against the water police and the steamship Georgette, which gave chase in a huge storm, and it took them 28 hours to get to the safety of the Catalpa, flying the American flag.
Mr Stephens said greater recognition of this amazing event would improve Western Australians' knowledge of their own history and bring greater international interest in Fremantle Prison, now a tourist precinct.
"It is an important part of our history and culture," he said.
"It has the potential to increase tourism, with the economic benefits that brings to Fremantle and the rest of the State."
A major exhibition of Fenian and Catalpa artefacts, to be titled 'From Fremantle to Freedom - the Catalpa Escape', will be held at Fremantle Prison next year.
Minister's office: 9213 6500
